Pull-Open Pinatas

Make these individual-size treat holders for Cinco de Mayo or as an alternative to favor bags for your next party.

For each, tape a length of ribbon to the top of a bathroom tissue tube for hanging. Cut a ¾-inch-wide X in the center of a 2½-inch square of tissue paper. Glue the square over the bottom of the tube. Cut tissue paper into 1½-inch-wide strips at least 6 inches long (fold up a sheet to cut multiple strips at once). Cut fringe into the strips. Starting at the bottom, wrap them around the tube, securing them with glue. Tape a ribbon across the X in the bottom. Fill the tube with lightweight treats, such as balloons and plastic animals, and hang it up. Pull the bottom ribbon to release the loot.

Cinco de Mayo Sipper

Celebrate Mexican culture this month by preparing a pitcher of agua fresca. Sold by street vendors throughout Latin America, the ice-cold drink is typically made by combining fresh fruit, water, and sugar. Here's how to blend your own: Puree 2½ cups of water, 1 pound trimmed strawberries, ¼ cup sugar, and the juice of one lime in a blender until smooth. Chill before serving or pour over ice. Makes 4 cups.

Chocolate Chili Poppers

Add some spice to your Cinco de Mayo with these strictly sweet, pepper-shaped candies.

Heat the oven to 200°. Place several unwrapped Tootsie Roll Midgees (you'll need two for each pepper) on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. When the oven is warm, turn off the heat and place the candies inside to soften (they can be left there as you work). For each pepper, knead together two Midgees, then mold them around the tip of a pretzel stick, as shown. Let them cool.

Melt red candy wafers in a microwave-safe drinking glass according to the package directions. (We used about half a bag each of green and red candy wafers to make 13 peppers.) Using the pretzels as handles, dip the peppers into the melted candy, tap off the excess, and lay them on parchment to set. When they have hardened, break off each pretzel stem so it's a half-inch long. Melt green candy wafers, then dip the stems into the candy and let the green coating set.

Mexican Pizza

Basic burrito ingredients -- salsa, refried beans in lieu of tomato sauce -- give this pie its crowd-pleasing appeal. Adding the avocado and cilantro after the pizza has baked keeps their flavors at their freshest. Perfect for a fiesta party main course!